Cybercrime laws in India are primarily governed by the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The IT Act addresses offenses such as hacking, identity theft, cyber terrorism, and online harassment, with penalties ranging from fines to life imprisonment. Specific sections also cover offenses like publishing obscene content and online frauds, with strict penalties for violations.
The IPC also includes provisions for cybercrimes, such as cheating by personation (Sections 419 and 420), defamation (Sections 499 and 500), and sending threatening messages (Section 503). These sections are applicable to online frauds, defamation, and digital forgery, offering legal recourse for victims of cybercrimes.
Other regulations like the Personal Data Protection Bill aim to address data privacy, while the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, recognizes digital evidence in legal proceedings. Cybercrimes can be reported through the Cyber Crime Portal or local Cyber Cells, with a helpline (1930) available for financial fraud cases.
